PEORIA, Ill. – There’s a lot of work left to do, but the Peoria City Council is starting the process of whether to buy out the city’s water system.
The council voted 7-4 Tuesday night to spend $100,000 on a consulting firm that will develop a feasibility study.
Under a nearly 130-year-old franchise agreement with Illinois American Water, the city has the option every five years to run the water system on its own.
Mayor Rita Ali was among the “no” votes, saying she doesn’t believe the city can afford to purchase the system, claiming the costs may end up being “astronomical.” Council Member Tim Riggenbach, Dist. 3, said he thinks it will be the best money the city will spend this year.
The decision to take over the system or not must be complete by November 3.
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